Newspaper Page Text
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2011
BARROW JOURNAL
PAGE 13A
PAINTING THE PRIDE
WBHS advanced art student Mackenzi Duffey is painting the mural over the dis
play cases where each year’s Bulldogg graduation “pledge” will be exhibited. The
“pledge” is a graduation gown signed by each student in that class who pledged
to graduate. Each year, WBHS Principal Al Darby wears that class’ signed gown to
graduation in celebration of the “GG” Doggs” who kept their pledge.
Photos by Lorin Sinn-Clark
‘GG’ Nation pledges to graduate
IT’S A ‘GG’ THING
By signing their class’ graduation gown, students
pledge to graduate. WBHS Principal Al Darby gives
them a “Power Band” to wear as a daily reminder and
point of pride, that they have “GG” attitude and they
will graduate.
‘GG’ ATTITUDE
Tyrone Watson is a member of the Class of 2013 and
he’s definitely got that “GG” attitude. He is shown with
WBHS Principal Al Darby who does not doubt that
Watson’s attitude will speed him to the 50 yard line
which in Dogg speak, means graduate.
By Lorin Sinn-Clark
lorin@barrowjounud.com
When Winder-Barrow High
School Principal Al Darby
tells his students he’ll “meet
them at the 50-yard line” he’s
not talking about football.
He’s talking about gradua
tion and encouraging them to
make a pledge to meet him at
the 50-yard line 30 minutes
before graduation. There he
shakes each student’s hand
and congratulates them for
making good on their pledge
to graduate, which was sealed
when they signed their name
in silver on the gown Darby
wears to graduation for each
senior class.
“It’s a commitment to them
selves and a commitment to
me,” Darby said. “It’s very
powerful. It means something
to them, to find their name
on that gown just before they
graduate, remember when
they signed it and feel pride
in how far they’ve come.”
Each fall Darby hosts a
push to make students aware
of the pledge and encourage
them to sign the gown he’ll
wear for their class, which
means they’ve committed to
graduate.
Standing outside the school
cafeteria, he greets students,
many by first name, and asks
if they’ve signed the pledge
yet. If they have, he congratu
lates them.
If they haven’t, he invites
them over to the table where
he has gowns for the Classes
of 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015
laid out, silver Sharpies for
signing nearby.
Once a student signs and
Darby makes clear what the
signature means, he gives
the student a black “Power
Band” to wear on his or her
wrist that bears the message
“GG” Attitude and “I Pledge
to Graduate” in red.
“The wrist bands are popu
lar,” Darby said. “You see
them all over the school. It’s a
daily reminder to our students
of the goal they’re working
towards and it builds school
pride. We want our students to
focus on their education and
keep the end in mind. And, if
you’re a ‘GG’ Dogg that end
is the 50-yard line.”
Darby started the move
ment two years ago with the
Class of 2010 and since then,
excitement about the pledge,
going the extra “GG” mile and
“meeting at the 50-yard line”
has become “a major focus of
our school culture,” he said.
And, excitement about signing
the gown, making the pledge
and donning the wrist band
is palpable around the pledge
table during signing days.
The ‘GG’ attitude is also a
daily focus, as are reminders
to “finish strong” and “finish
the race.”
The Bulldogg pledge,
which includes being “respon
sible, respectful to others and
myself, accountable for my
actions, and to exemplify the
highest character daily” is
emphasized. It ends with a
pledge to “graduate” and to be
a “GG” Dogg.
Tyrone Watson, a member
of the Class of 2013, wears
his graduation “Power Band”
band with pride, saying it
“means I’m going to graduate
and be somebody.”
“As long as I can stay on
track and keep my head up,
anything’s possible — that’s
the ‘GG’ attitude,” Watson
said. And, Darby, enthusiasti
cally agreed.
SEE YOU AT THE 50-YARD LINE
Bulldoggs (L to R) Joelle Dawson, Nacie Harvey, Kenny Cureton, Michael Cruickshank
and Anahi Balderas sign their class pledge and don their Power Bands. It’s part of
the “GG” attitude and now they’re committed to graduate.
HOME
This is the 100-year-old Jefferson River Road house where Ellen Davis Perry
grew up.
WITH AGE COMES WISDOM
The wisdom of Ellen Perry: “If you can’t think of something else to say, ‘whatever’
will do just fine.”
Perry continued from 12A
“When I lived in the country as a child, I
got a lot of exercise — walked three miles
to school, picked cotton, milked cows,” she
recalled. “That’s the reason why I’ve lived
so long. My mother said the exercise was the
secret to a long life. I didn’t like all the work
I did as a child, but I believe that was the best
thing for me.” Zip Davis must have been on
to something; Ellen and two of her sisters are
still healthy as they approach 100.
Ellen Perry maintains a wonderful rela
tionship with her two surviving children
today. Husband Mack passed away in 1988.
Daughter Joyce and sons Jack and Mack Jr.
are gone, as well.
“My husband left his family in good condi
tion, though. I get all his money. He pays my
expenses every month —just lifts it out of the
grave,” she says with a wink and a laugh.
Marie lives in Arizona, but gets to Winder
frequently to visit with her mother. Youngest
child Beth in nearby Jefferson has become “a
great help” in her mother’s later years.
“Beth was not planned, but Dr. W.T.
Randolph said she would probably grow up
to be a great help — and she has been,” her
mother mused. “I don’t know what I’d do
without her.”
At an age when many in her shoes look
back with regret on the missed opportunities
of their lives, Ellen Perry looks back on her
life, remembers what was and finds joy. She
maintains a wonderful sense of humor and
the philosophy that one should take joy in
whatever they’re doing — and keep on doing
it. And she has.
November 6 & 13, 2011
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
No Appointment Needed!
LOCATION: Tractor Supply Company
10 Plaza Drive, Winder, GA
4-6 Poses on CD: S20
PICK CP Your CD:
Nov. 13: @ Tractor Supply for Nov. 6 photos: 2 pm to 5 pm
Nov 22: @ Winder Corners Animal Clinic for Nov 13 photos
9 am to 1:00 pm, or 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm